Netflix’s “The Queen’s Gambit” Inspires Young Women to Pursue Passions

These long months of quarantine have inspired all of us to find new hobbies and obsessions. Netflix’s “The Queen’s Gambit,” has inspired people of all ages to learn and play chess after binge watching the limited series. The show follows the life of chess extraordinaire Beth Harmon as she struggles with substance abuse, childhood trauma, and the pressure of being a world class chess champion. Since its debut in October, the show has become Netflix’s biggest success, with over 62 million household views. The sale of chess related merchandise and subscriptions has skyrocketed. One site, Chess.com, has added more than 2.35 million players since October, and female player registration is up 15%. Demand for private chess lessons has also increased. 

In just a few months, Beth’s story has invigorated a passion for chess, especially among women and young girls, and demonstrates the power of a well-told story. “The Queen’s Gambit” fundamentally challenges the assumptions and stereotypes of chess players and who “fits” the mold of a successful player. For example, despite the male dominated matches, Beth excels against her male counterparts and remains unphased. For young girls intimidated by a male dominated field or passion, Beth provides a strong role model to inspire them. The show can also re-inspire those who have fallen out of chess. Bianca Mitchell, a 15-year-old from New Mexico, started playing when she was in the first grade but quit in the seventh grade when she moved to New York because being the only girl who played made her feel awkward. After watching “Queen’s Gambit,” however, she found her passion for chess again because she saw how the show portrayed chess as “very glamorous and very luxurious, that women can be rock stars.”

This show has become a fan favorite because it demonstrates how deeply human stories about struggle and success inspire us. In these tough times, finding new passions and learning new skills is critical to staying positive and pushing through quarantine. “The Queen’s Gambit” and the re-rise of chess as a cultural phenomenon strives to inspire us in these endeavors. Even if viewers ultimately have no interest in chess, the show has a powerful underlying message of harnessing your inner strength and talent to pave the way for success. Hopefully, viewers, especially young girls, will watch and also pursue things they are truly passionate about knowing that through hard work and dedication, they too can do great things.